Seeding cells on porous supports

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a method for seeding cells on to a support. In particular, the method relates to a method for seeding cells onto a porous hydrophobic support. The method utilizes centrifugal forces to uniformly guide cell seeding into the support with no loss in viability.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A kit for seeding a plurality of cells onto a porous hydrophobic support comprising: (1) a hydrophobic support having pores that are at least partially pre-filled with liquid; (2) media; and (3) cells in media; wherein the pores of the support are at least partially pre-filled with liquid prior to contacting the media or the cells in media by introducing liquid to the support and partially removing the liquid from the support by application of a centrifugal force. 
     
     
       2. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix of support is made of fibers, comprising material selected from the group consisting of a 90/10 copolymer of polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid, a 100% homopolymer of polydioxanone, and a 95/5 copolymer of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid. 
     
     
       3. The kit of  claim 2 , wherein the fibers are incorporated with a foam component. 
     
     
       4. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the pores are between about 50 and 1000 microns. 
     
     
       5. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cells are selected from the group consisting of stem cells, pancreatic precursor/progenitor cells, genetically engineered insulin producing cells, primary pancreatic islets, hepatocytes, chromaffin cells, neural precursor cells, progenitor cells, precursor cells, stem cells, bone marrow cells, umbilical cord blood cells, angioblasts, endothelial cells, osteoblasts, smooth muscle cells, kidney cells, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, cardiovascular cells, neural cells, neural precursor cells, amniotic cells and post-partum placental cells. 
     
     
       6. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the centrifugal force is 400-600 RPM. 
     
     
       7. The kit of  claim 6 , where the centrifugal force is 400-600 RPM for 5 minutes.